For the seventh consecutive year, Timberland has been recognized by Business Ethics Magazine as a “100 Best Corporate Citizen” for its corporate social responsibility efforts. In its Spring 2006 issue, Business Ethics Magazine reveals the results of a survey that ranks companies' performances based upon best practices in eight stakeholder categories: shareholders, community, governance, diversity, employees, environment, human rights and product.
“We are very honored by this distinction and humbled to be among such esteemed companies,” said Jeffrey Swartz, Timberland's President and CEO. “Conducting our business in the most socially responsible manner and driving positive change in the industry and in the communities we operate in will continue to be among our top priorities.”
Timberland received considerable recognition for its environmental stewardship, community involvement and encouragement of employee volunteerism. Timberland is ranked sixth overall and is the only apparel and footwear company in the top ten. In 2006, Timberland joins Green Mountain Coffee, Hewlett-Packard, Advanced Micro Devices, Motorola, Agilent, Salesforce.com, Cisco Systems, Dell and Texas Instruments.
In 2005, the company strengthened its commitment to manufacture products and conduct business in a socially responsible way. To reduce its environmental impact, Timberland increased its use of renewable energy and resources. In support of its concerns about human rights, Timberland worked with Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle to create a limited edition “Save Darfur” boot to raise awareness of the crisis and inspire civil and political action to help stop the genocide. Timberland also designed “Save Darfur” t-shirts and boot hangtags to inspire consumers and generate funds to help create change in the Sudan.
In 2006, the company is continuing to live by its mission to “Make it Better.” In the first four months of the year alone, Timberland has engaged in several initiatives that will extend its excellence in corporate social responsibility. In January, it announced new, environmentally-friendly packaging and an industry first, a “nutritional label” for its footwear products. The label will provide consumers with fully transparent information about the manufacture of the products. On the retail front, Timberland will continue to renovate its retail stores by using recycled and recyclable materials. The company is also introducing a line of products made of organic and all natural fibers including hemp.
In April, Timberland kicked off its 9th Annual Earth Day celebrations with the unveiling of its solar array at its Ontario, California Distribution Center. The solar array will generate approximately 60% of the facility's power and will reduce its output of greenhouse gases by 480,000 pounds of carbon emissions. The solar array is one of the world's 50 largest solar panels and the first in California's Inland Empire.
